Registration will begin at 9 a.m. The conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Representatives from agencies and communities must sign in by 10 a.m. to be eligible to submit a proposal.

The request for proposal (RFP) packages will be released on Monday, Dec. 12. Proposals for the Children’s Services Council and the Human Services Grant are available through electronic copy or written document by contacting the Children’s Services Council at (352) 343-1408. Community Enhancement Program proposals are available by contacting Bill Gearing, Lake County Community Enhancement Coordinator, at (352) 343-1864.

“This mandatory conference is an opportunity for these three grant programs to provide information at one time,” said Robbie Hollenbeck, Director of Citizen Support Services for the Lake County Community Services Department. “Hopefully, by having these grant programs on the same timeframe and by combining work processes, it will increase community response.”

During the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the Children’s Services Council is expected to award more than $250,000 in grant funds to agencies that support prevention and intervention initiatives relating to children issues. No one grant awarded by the Council will exceed $25,000.

The Lake County Human Services Grant Program will award $60,000 in grants during this fiscal year to organizations that address family issues, such as rent and utility assistance, and elder daycare, and other human needs. The maximum single grant the program will award is $10,000.

In its second year, the Community Enhancement Area Program, which is administered by the Lake County Housing and Community Development Division, will award two $25,000 grants to communities in the unincorporated area of the County for improvements, such as infrastructure, community beautification and after-school programs. Last fiscal year, the community of Yalaha was selected by the program, and together, the County and residents are working to renovate the local community center.